October 31, 2007

Canadian Privy Council Office Apologizes for Violating Journalist's Privacy

Canada's privacy commissioner has ruled that the Privy Council Office broke the law last year when it revealed a journalist's name in documents released under an Access to Information Act request. Jim Bronskill of The Canadian Press complained to the commissioner in September last year after his name surfaced in documents sent to another journalist. The names of people making access requests are supposed to be kept private, although the protection comes under the Privacy Act, not the Access to Information Act. There are, however, no penalties in the legislation. Commissioner Raymond D'Aoust ruled that the Privy Council Office violated Bronskill's rights

Privy Council Office apologizes to reporter for breach of Privacy Act, Canadian Press, October 30, 2007.